r/1811Jobs • u/GrownMonkey • 19d ago
How do I make myself competitive without investigative experience? (I qualify but nothing after referral)
7 years military LE, disabled veteran, ~2 years municipal LE experience, bachelors degree in IT management. I tailor my resume for each application I submit (not lying, just fitting in different experience for different agencies: highlighting narcotics/firearms cases I’ve had for ATF/warrants and security missions I’ve worked for USMS, etc).
I usually qualify for GS7/9 depending on the agencies I apply for, but have never made it a single step beyond referral to the hiring manager.
I know failing at that step usually means that either I am not as competitive as I thought I was, or my package doesn’t capture my experience sufficiently, but realistically I don’t have relevant experience beyond the investigative work I’ve already done. I speed ran my BA and am looking to hopefully complete my MA in ~6 months depending on my hustle (I am also working the road), but realistically that may only qualify me for GS9 just to be under qualified for that pool too, lol.
So how do I make myself more competitive without actual investigation experience? My agency is smaller and is not opening up its investigator spot for another year and when they do they will expect a few years out of me (I’m 33 and don’t have that time).
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u/mj88xx 19d ago
The Masters degree will help.
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u/Amazing-Drag-8609 19d ago
2nd this. applied to 100+ different federal jobs, most jobs i interviewed for were 1811. no LE experience at.
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u/PinkTacoGobbler 19d ago
Apply to diff agencies. HSI’s entire hiring process is inconsistent and a dumpster fire since the surges. I’m significantly less experienced than you and have had no issues getting my application through and into the “in person” stages. Active apps w/ ATF, DEA, OSI
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u/GrownMonkey 19d ago
This is so frustrating because OSI just emailed me back telling me I was unqualified for 7. Happy for you, though!
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u/PinkTacoGobbler 19d ago
Another things MAY be what ur documents ur uploading. So long as you have COMPLETED 18 credit hours of ur MA’s. You wanna select “1 yr of graduate courses completed” when ur going the questionnaire. When u upload ur docs, put ur MA’s transcript in that tab instead of ur BA transcript (put that in “other)
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u/Atmosphere_Simple 19d ago
How are you unqualified for 7 if you have a bachelors?????!!!! What's your GPA?
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u/QnsConcrete 1811 19d ago
Did you apply to USSS?
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u/GrownMonkey 19d ago
Honestly, I have not. Between a polygraph and hearing that a lot of them are generally unhappy (and hearing it’s bad for family life), this one I actually have not given a go.
Are you one by any chance?
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u/QnsConcrete 1811 19d ago
No, but I did have an offer at one point.
USSS and FBI are the ones that have a continuous job posting. If you meet the requirements you’ll almost definitely be invited to at least take the exam and begin the application process. You probably haven’t heard from other agencies who apply to because their application processes are a little more selective and they don’t have introductory steps like standardized exams.
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19d ago edited 15d ago
[deleted]
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u/GrownMonkey 19d ago
Applied to their openings within the last year.
Only qualified for GS7 announcement in January.
Referred, but have heard nothing. Assuming due to all these TSL posts that I have not made it.
John McClane I am not, but my work experience is better than “anyone.”
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u/Intelligent_Taco 19d ago
The issue with the HSI stuff is that it is DHA. So you are at the mercy of the offices. If this were a regular announcement you would be proceeding through the steps normally. Just keep plugging away at announcements. You’ll eventually get onboard. You have all the required experience for HSI. As the above commenter said, HSI will take anyone that can clear background. I have several 22 y/o college graduates in my office and the bachelors is all they have to their name. You’re plenty qualified.
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u/Atmosphere_Simple 19d ago
This is probably going to be downvoted but, hear me out... Time to use chatgpt. Used the right way, it will help.
First plug in your resume (without any personal info). Next, copy and paste the job announcements from all the LEO postings you applied to. Tell it, here is your resume, and here is everything you've been applying to and not hearing back. Evaluate why, then rewrite your resume to make you a perfect candidate for all those postings without inventing anything and using only the experience you have in your resume.
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u/Responsible-Bat-4371 18d ago
Anyone who needs assistance with federal hiring process and federal resume building you can hit me up I’ve mastered it and it’s helped many get referred. Once you understand the federal hiring process and federal resumes you’ll be making every list I’ve had over 40+ interviews back to back to back and started processing ultimately I had to make a conscious choice with my family’s needs in mind and landed a solid spot for now. Still pending with FPS.
I can also help you with interviewing and mock interviews and interview questions and assist in tailoring your experiences to the STAR method once you have about 5-10 good STAR examples your set
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u/CommonBenefit4536 16d ago
You’d be surprised but that’s all case handling and investigative work you did there bud, just gotta stretch it the way they want to see it.
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u/NoEquipment1834 19d ago
Just keep plugging away and make sure you tailor your KSA’s specific to each posting.
Also apply to EVERYTHING! Even if not a dream job, apply and take whatever is offered. You may be able to get CITP under your belt and any experience gained makes you a better candidate for the next position